Life-saving garment



(NO Model.)

0. HANSON. LIFE SAVING GARMBNT.

Patented Sept. 4, 1894.

A UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE.

osoAR iIANsoN, on DU Bois, PENNSYLVANIA.

LlFE-sAvlNG-GARMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 525,342, dated September`4, 1894. Application filed April 23, 1894i. Serial No. 508,746. (No model.) r

To all whom it may concern.: Y

Be it known that I, OscAR HANsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Du Bois, in the county of Clearfield and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Garments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a life-preserver or life saving garment, and consists 'in certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and operation of the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

The objects of my invention are first, to provide a simple and inexpensive garment, which can be worn as a cloak or coat to protect the wearer from rain, snow, sleet or cold; and second, such a garment, which is so constructed that a portion of it around the body of the wearer may be readily inated with a sufficient amount of air to support the wearer on the surface of the water and to'keep him aoat. v

Another object is to so construct my garment that when worn for ordinary purposes, it will present an 'attractive appearance, and will neatly fit the form.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to make and use the same, I will nowproceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, is a view of a man clothed with my life-saving garment, showing it as it appears when worn for ordinary use, and with the addition of a cape. Fig. 2, is a view in front elevation of the garment, with the cape removed, and illustrating it in its normal condition. Fig. 3, is a view, partly in section, showing the portion of the garment covering the body inated. Fig. 4, is a central vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the garment, showing it inliated. Fig. 5, is a sectional view of the inIlating-'tube, and a part of the garment, showing the manner of operating .the controlling-valve, and Fig. 6, is a cross-sectional view of the tube, taken on line 6, 6, of Fig. 5.

Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

A, represents the body of the garment, which is made of any suitable form and material,

but preferably in the shape of a coat or cloak,

and extends upward at the front and rear of the garment, to near the collar thereof in the form of a shield, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2, and 3, of the drawings. The girdle or piece B, is secured at its lower portion to the body of the cloak or garment, either by being sewed thereto, or in any other suitable manner, so as to prevent the escape of air. It is also likewise attached to the chest and back of the cloak, in such a manner as to permit of the free movement of the sleeves. By reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the girdle or piece B, is made full so that lwhen it is in a collapsed or its normal condition, it will lie close to the portion of the cloak around the body of the wearer, and may be there secured by means of a belt c, which I s attached to the rear of the garment for this purpose. The central front portion of the cloak or garment is provided with buttons and buttonholes, in order that it may be secured on the person, in the manner of a cloak or coat.. lo the upper part of the girdle or piece B, 1s secured and opens therein, a flexible-tube which is provided with a valve d, which is angularly suspended within the tube, as .is clearly shown in Fig. 5, so that when the girdle or piece B, is iniiated by blowing through the mouth-piece e, of the tube, the valve d, will assume the position indicated by ldotted lines in Fig. 5, and when the mouth is removed from the free end of the tube, the pressure of the air within the girdle will force the valve into the position shown by continuous lines lin said figure, andvwill prevent the escape of the air. When it is desired to allow the air to escape, the valve may be raised by means of the rod a., which is attached to the valve and extends slightly beyond the end of the mouth-piece. Of course I may employ other means for allowing the escape of air or may affix a suitable vent at any other portion of IOO the girdle. When the garment is Worn for ordinary uses, the tube C, may be folded around the neck and under the collar c', as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing it will be seen and readily understood that my garment is especially adapted for the use of sailors, fishermen, and other persons Whose occupations or pleasures expose them to the dangers of the sea or riv-` In a life saving garment the combination of the cloak or coat A, having the collar c', to fit around the neck of the wearer, with the girdle or piece B, secured at its upper portion under the arms and to the upper part of the cloak, and at its lower portion to about the point of the waist of the cloak, and the flexi-` ble tube C, secured to and opening within the cavity between the girdle or piece B, and the cloak, and having the mouth piece e, inclined valve d, and rod a, said tube being adapted to fold around the neck and under the collar c', whereby it is held, when not in use, substantially as described.

OSCAR IIANSON.

Witnesses:

A. CARLSON, A. E. BOGLE. 

